Last night Cheshire Constabulary Deputy Chief Constable Helen King said: “Since September the Constabulary has been supporting an officer from the Ellesmere Port area who has been absent through ill health.

“On Monday the Cheshire Constabulary supported North Wales Police to resolve an incident at the officer’s address in Prestatyn.

“Today the officer was able to take possession of a police car and drive it to the Force Headquarters at Winsford where he was arrested.

"The incident was professionally managed to ensure that the public and members of staff were not put at risk. Nobody suffered any injuries, although minor damage was caused to the police car. The investigation is ongoing.

“The Constabulary provides extensive help and support to officers and staff through line managers, the Occpational Health Unit, help lines, the Police Federation and Unison, recognising the demanding and stressful nature of police work. The support available, together with the security of police premises and property, are being reviewed as a result of today’s incident."